IJMC - Not a Plague, a Deluge of Frogs

The original gang. Our gang. Buckwheat and Sparky and Alfalfa and the
rest.  All going bad. What a day, the beginning of the downfall. From that
day forth, life changed. If you do not believe me, ask someone who watched
the event happen. They can tell you, how someone went bad. One event and 
a person becomes someone else. Keep that event from happenning and 
everything stays normal and good. Turn one event from bad to good, you 
may just make the difference that is needed. Who knows, you might even 
earn a shiny quarter in the process...                               -dave



A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell
into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.  When they
saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good
as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of
the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to
stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed
to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died. 

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the
crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even
harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said,
"Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He
thought they were encouraging him the entire time. 

This story teaches two lessons:

1.  There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to
someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the
day. 

2.  A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill
them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. 

The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an
encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend
to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.  Special is
the individual who will take the time to encourage another.  Be special to
others.